Imprints of spin-orbit density wave in the hidden order state of URu2Si2

Abstract

The mysterious second order quantum phase transition, commonly attributed to the `hidden-order' (HO) state, in heavy-fermion metal URu2Si2 exhibits a number of paradoxical electronic and magnetic properties which cannot be associated with any conventional order parameter. We characterize and reconcile these exotic properties of the HO state based on a spin-orbit density wave order (SODW), constructed on the basis of a realistic density-functional theory (DFT) band structure. We quantify the nature of the gapped electronic and magnetic excitation spectrum, in agreement with measurements, while the magnetic moment is calculated to be zero owing to the spin-orbit coupling induced time-reversal invariance. Furthermore, a new collective mode in the spin-1 excitation spectrum is predicted to localize at zero momentum transfer in the HO state which can be visualized, for example, by electron spin resonance (ESR) at zero magnetic field or polarized inelastic neutron scattering measurements. The results demonstrate that the concomitant broken and invariant symmetries protected SODW order not only provides insights into numerous nontrivial hidden-order phenomena, but also offers a parallel laboratory to the formation of a topologically protected quantum state beyond the quantum spin-Hall state and Weyl semimetals.

10 pages, 4 figures (v2): List of reference is updated. Accepted for publication in PRB

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Cited by in corpus (11)

• Hidden Order Behaviour in URu2Si2 (A Critical Review of the Status of Hidden Order in 2014)
• Hidden order and beyond: an experimental-theoretical overview of the multifaceted behavior of URu${}_2$Si${}_2$
• Evidence for a nematic component to the Hidden Order parameter in URu2Si2 from differential elastoresistance measurements
• Symmetry of the Excitations in the Hidden Order State of URu2Si2
• Strict limit on in-plane ordered magnetic dipole moment in URu2Si2
• Lattice dynamics of the heavy fermion compound URu${}_2$Si${}_2$
• Optical conductivity of URu${}_2$Si${}_2$ in the Kondo Liquid and Hidden-Order Phases
• Electrodynamics of the antiferromagnetic phase in URu${}_2$Si${}_2$
• Raman Active High Energy Excitations in URu${}_2$Si${}_2$
• Phenomenological theory of the superconducting state inside the hidden-order phase of URu${}_2$Si${}_2$
• Spin-orbit density wave: A new phase of matter applicable to the hidden order state of URu2Si2